Switzerland obtains observer status in Arctic Council

The Swiss government on Monday announced it obtained an observer status in the Arctic Council in the organization's latest ministerial meeting.

As an observer, Switzerland can contribute expert knowledge to the Council at the level of working groups, particularly in the interdisciplinary area of climate change research.

Usually, observer status enables non-Arctic states that have demonstrated sufficient interest in the Arctic to participate in the Council's meetings and working groups.

"Polar research is very similar to high-altitude research in the Alps. A number of Swiss institutes are internationally renowned for their high-caliber research on snow, the atmosphere, natural hazards, permafrost and mountain ecosystems," the statement from the Swiss government said.

"Swiss scientists have conducted research on glaciology in the Arctic for over a hundred years, making a substantial contribution to global climate research. Switzerland is known in this research community as the 'vertical Arctic nation,'", the statement added.

Founded in 1996, the Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum promoting the environmental, economic and social aspects of sustainable development in the Arctic.

The Council comprises eight Arctic states and organizations representing Arctic indigenous peoples. Observer states also include China, France, Germany and Japan. Endit